Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi has said that Doha Program of Work and Doha Political Declaration constitute an important legacy for Qatar and the international community to cooperate in the field of development, as part of the humanitarian duty towards the people of the least developed countries.
Al Muraikhi, during his presidency of the closing session of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5), said the Doha Program of Work embodied, within the framework of six broad thematic areas, the main elements of the sustainable development plan for the year 2030.
He said this document represents an important tool for the international community through which the global challenges faced by the least developed countries are addressed, and that it will generate a new impetus for achieving fair, sustainable and inclusive economic development for all in the least developed countries.
He expressed Qatar's aspiration for member states, parliaments, civil society, the private sector, academics and youth to play an effective role in working to implement the Doha Work Program and achieve the desired results in accordance with the commitments made during the past five days.
Al Muraikhi stressed that these goals should not remain on paper, but must be translated into actions and tangible results, through practical measures to bring about the desired transformation in the lives of the people of the least developed countries, pointing to the announcement of His Highness the Amir of State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in his opening speech to the conference, regarding Qatar's contribution of $60 million, of which $10 million has been allocated to support the implementation of the activities of the Doha Program of Action for the Least Developed Countries, and $50 million to support the outcomes of the Doha Program of Action and build adaptation capacities in least developed countries.
He stressed that Qatar will not only provide financial contributions to follow up and monitor the implementation of the Doha Program of Action, but will also seek to include issues related to the least developed countries at the top of the international community's priorities and contribute to efforts to find solutions to the urgent problems afflicting the least developed countries.
He added that while Qatar pledges to be at the forefront of countries working to implement the Doha Program of Action, and because no country can act alone, we urge development partners to follow the example of the State of Qatar and take the initiative to support the implementation of the Doha Program of Action.
Al Muraikhi called on the participants in the conference to pledge in Doha to harness all possible means to transform the capabilities of the least developed countries into effective tools to achieve prosperity and improve the conditions of one billion and 200 million people around the world, until the world meets again after ten years, to work on turning the hopes represented by the Doha Program of Action into reality, by working together to enable this program and the opportunity it represents for hope and change.
He pointed out that based on the firm policy of Qatar and its belief in work based on the principle of partnership and cooperation with the international community, its preparations for the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries have started since March 2019, when Qatar submitted a request to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, which includes its full readiness to host the conference.
He stated that Qatar harnessed all its capabilities in the framework of preparing for the conference, and was keen to hold many regional and thematic meetings, and to actively participate in all activities that culminated in the adoption of the Doha Program of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2022-2031.
“"We stand today at the end of five days of rich deliberations and fruitful activities, including plenary sessions, round tables, and multiple side meetings, which highlighted the convergence and consensus on how to address the various challenges facing the least developed countries,” he said.
At the beginning of his speech, he had expressed Qatar's happiness over the past five days in Doha's hosting of the Fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.
He expressed his confidence that the outcomes of the conference and what has been accomplished during these days will be an opportunity to achieve the desired change.
Al Muraikhi extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to heads of state and government, ministers, heads of delegations, distinguished parliamentarians, civil society representatives, academics, the private sector, and youth for their active participation and valuable contributions to this important conference.
